The Saracens fly-half is preparing to pilot a new-look England team with at least eight of the 22-man squad, which interim head coach Stuart Lancaster will confirm on Thursday, expected to be uncapped.

Hodgson, 31, has had to get used to making comebacks over the course of his decade-long England career but admits there is a sense of this one being like a second debut.

After knee reconstructions ruled him out of both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, Hodgson was served up as the fall guy when England were beaten 37-20 by New Zealand on the 2008 summer tour.

Rob Andrew , then Englandâs acting head coach, delivered the withering assessment that âbits of Test rugby are not optionalâ after Hodgson had been swatted aside by All Blacks centre Maâa Nonu. Hodgson has not started a Test since.

âIt could feel like a debut,â he said. âI feel very proud to be given the opportunity to be involved again. Who knows where it goes? I have learned not to look too far ahead. I neverÂ really thought [it would end with England]. It was always a case of working hard and never losing belief in my own ability.

âIt is pleasing to be back. The fact that I have gone through those times and come out the other side is a good judge of character.â

Hodgsonâs creative qualities have never been in doubt but he has had to work hard on his defence, a self-confessed weakness in his game.

âI have to spend more time on that than anything else just to make sure it is up to scratch,â Hodgson added.

âI think it has improved. Being at Saracens, in a good defensive system, seems to be good.â

Owen Farrell, who had never played a game of rugby union when his Sarries team-mate Hodgson kicked 44 points on his England debut against Romania in 2001, is set to claim the goalkicking duties at Murrayfield.

âHe is the number one for us at the club so I am sure that will continue,â Hodgson said.